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Rugby: passing square

passing square DRILLS
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Continuous Passing Square 1

Set up 4 cones in a square, and get the players to form equal lines behind each cone. The ball starts with a player on one cone who runs towards the cone to his right and passes the ball across the square to a player from the next cone running onto the ball. He catches the ball and continues his run, passing the ball to someone from the next cone running onto the ball. Change the direction which the ball is going Progressions: Get the players to change direction on your command (shout/whistle) Multiple balls at a time As a group must complete 10 successful passes before the session can move on, every time a ball is dropped the whole group does an exercise (e.g. 10 press ups).

Passing

Continuous Passing Square 2

Set up a square of cones, and get the players to form equal lines behind each cone. The ball starts in the hands of a player behind cone 1, who runs (black running line) towards cone 2, passes the ball to the player behind cone 2 who passes the ball back to the first player. The first player then runs towards cone 3 and passes the ball to the player standing behind cone 3. The player who passed the ball from behind cone 2 runs (blue running line) following the run of the first player and receives a pass from the player behind cone 3 before running towards cone 4 and passing the ball to the player behind cone 4. The player who passed the ball from behind cone 3 runs (yellow running line) following the run of the second player and receives a pass from the player behind cone 4 before running towards cone 1 and passing the ball to the player behind cone 1. The player who passed the ball from behind cone 4 runs (red running line) following the run and receives a pass from the player behind cone 1 before running towards cone 2 and passing the ball to the player behind cone 2. The player who passed the ball from behind cone 1 runs (black running line) following the run and receives a pass from the player behind cone 2 before running towards cone 3 and passing the ball to the player behind cone 3, and the drill continues. Change the direction which the ball is going. Progressions: Get the players to change direction on your command (shout/whistle etc) Multiple balls As a group must complete 10 successful passes before the session can move on, every time a ball is dropped the whole group does an exercise (e.g. 10 press ups).

Passing

Continuous Passing Square 1 Pa...

Set up 4 cones in a square, and get the players to form equal lines behind each cone.The ball starts with a player on one cone who runs towards the cone to his right and passes the ball across the square to a player from the next cone running onto the ball. He catches the ball and continues his run, passing the ball to someone from the next cone running onto the ball.Change the direction which the ball is goingProgressions:Get the players to change direction on your command (shout/whistle)Multiple balls at a timeAs a group must complete 10 successful passes before the session can move on, every time a ball is dropped the whole group does an exercise (e.g. 10 press ups).

General

Staying Square and Fixing Defe...

Exercise aimed at attackers staying square when running towards a defender in order to fix them to the spot and then spin a pass out to the side.Attackers start on a cone, before running towards a cone 3m awayOn that cone, the attacker sidesteps (drops the shoulder) and goes the other wayRunning straight now, the attacher goes towards the tackle tube (or whichever necessary object) in front of them and before 'contact' spins the ball out to the opposite sideFor example, if the player stepped towards the left, the pass is made to the player waiting on the right side of the area.

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Square Drill - Continuous Atta...

<span style=&quot;color: var(--color); font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit;&quot;>Set up a large square with a cone in each corner. Three attacking players start along one side of the square with two defenders in the middle. You can increase the number of attackers or defenders as you wish. Attacker always try to attack across the square. Once the attackers reach the other side of the square they pop the ball to the attackers on the side of the square and not in front of them.<br>

General

Passing Grid Passing - Rugby D...

Set up a grid of about 10 x 10Aim to have 12 attackers and 2 defenders3 attackers spread out on each side of the square. One player starts with the ball and runs towards the first defender, before passing off to a supporting attacker, who runs towards the next defender and passes off to the other attacker in the threeThe ball is popped off to the end attacking player on the opposite side of the squareThe same play happens with three new attackers and same two defendersThe ball is then popped off to the side, and play continues until all four groups of attackers have run through twice.Then switch defenders.

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Passing Technique Progression ...

1. Square on: one hand Stand square on, in your partners pass the ball back and forth no more than 5m away from eachother, rember use 1 hand and start with ball on hip. 2. Side on: one hand Same again but no stand side on. 3. One step: two hands Same distance apart, introduce the second hand and take a step and pass try to do 10 off each hand.

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Switch Drill Passing - Rugby D...

Drill to practice inside running lines (switches) in attack.Set up a 10m x 10m square (green cones) with two attackers (blue) on one side of the square, and one defender (red) on the other side of the square on the left hand side (see diagram).The attacker with the ball runs forward, then diagonally across the square towards the diagonally opposite cone, to get the defender to chase him.The second attacker also runs forward, then switches back across the square towards where the defender has come form.The ball carrier turns towards his outside and passes to the other attacker who is running a switch. They then score over the try-line marked by the green cones.If the defender holds for the switching player, the ball carrier should continue running and score over the try-line marked by the green cones.

General

Staying square and fixing defe...

Groups of 6+ BallsSausages/BagsCones Players line up opposite the trinagle of cones set up on the floor with ball in hand. Player runs at the black cone, as the player runs the coach shouts either yellow or red (cones). The player with ball then reactes to the colour called and steps to attack that cone. When reached trhe cone the player must perform a pass back the direction they came to player waiting to recieve.

General

Rugby League: Pass and follow ...

The first player runs into the grid and then passes square to a player either on their left or right before following their pass. The receiving player then runs into the grid and passes square before following their pass once again.

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Rugby: Tackle square 1v1 - Spo...

Step 1: Both the attacking and defending players complete 2 chop tackles on the tackle sausages. Step 2: The attacking player picks up the ball, and attackes the opposing corner where the defender is coming from.

General

Rugby: Passing left to right -...

Strong grip, thumbs are out, hold the ball high with fingers pointing to the sky. Keeping your hips square pass the ball across your body, finishing with your hands nice and high - pointing to where you want the ball to go.

General

Rugby: Continuous Passing off ...

Set up a square with cones, making one side of the square with two gates of cones. Get the players to line up evenly behind the two individual cones (See diagram - 1 and 2)The player with the ball runs out and puts the ball down between the green cones, once he has put the ball down he runs and joins the back of his line. The player behind him in the queue follows him and passes the ball off the floor to a player running onto the ball from the next line (2), once he passes the ball he runs and joins the back of his line. The receiver of the pass also has a partner running behind him so when he puts the ball down between the green cones his partner can pass it to the next person in the opposite line. Both run and join the back of their line and the drill continues...After a period of time swap over the lines so players practice passing in both directionsProgressions:Instead of placing the ball on the floor, go to ground and present itInstead of working in partners, work in threes - the ball carrier goes to ground, the second player gets in a position to clear our any defenders, and the third person passes the ball off the floor. Add in a defender with a hit shield or a live defender to make a tackle but then be passive in the ruck.

General

Rugby: Speed pass challenge - ...

Groups of 8Ball Cones2 sets of 4 players line up back to back.Cones are places 3m apart and 3 in fornt of both set of players.When the coach says go the players must complete 4 passes before reaching the far cones. Then they must turn and do the same off coming back. (1 rep) Its a race agaisnt the opposing attackers to compelete the the reps given.

General

Closed Leg Pass Passing - Rugb...

The aim of the exercise is to develop 1 Step Closed leg pass to encourage the attacker to keep square.

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Rugby League: Pass Invaders - ...

Split the team into two groups.The players run to the cone and then pass the ball square before running on to the next cone and pass square. When the players reach the end they have to run back through the middle of the cones.The practice keeps repeating.

General

Switch Over Attack Passing - R...

Drill to practice attacking organisational skillsSet up a grid roughly 20m wide and 20m long, with different coloured cones at one end and 5m away from that end (see diagram).3 defending players line up at one end (blue players between white cones) and 5m infront of them 4 attacking players line up (red players between green cones). One further defender waits at the opposite end of the grid.On the coaches command the three defending players run to the green cones and turn to defend. Meanwhile the four attacking players run to the white cones and turn to attack, receiveing the ball from the coach (grey). They are trying to score at the far end of the grid (red cones).Once the attack have beaten the defensive line the final defender may move forward off the try line (red cones) and try and defend.

General

Rugby League: Passing left to ...

Strong grip, thumbs are out, hold the ball high with fingers pointing to the sky. Keeping your hips square pass the ball across your body, finishing with your hands nice and high - pointing to where you want the ball to go.

General

Passing right to left Passing ...

Strong grip, thumbs are out, hold the ball high with fingers pointing to the sky. Keeping your hips square pass the ball across your body, finishing with your hands nice and high - pointing to where you want the ball to go.

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Square - Improve reactions Han...

Players stand on a blue cone. On Go, the player passes the ball and sprints out to the nearest cone in the middle then back steps back to the next blue cone in line.

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Rugby League: Passing right to...

Strong grip, thumbs are out, hold the ball high with fingers pointing to the sky. Keeping your hips square pass the ball across your body, finishing with your hands nice and high - pointing to where you want the ball to go.

General

Rugby League: Pass and shuttle...

Players stand in a square by a cone each. They pass the ball around either clock wise or anti clock wise. After the player passes the ball they have to follow their pass touch the cone of the player they passed to and get back to their cone before receiving the next pass.

General

Rugby: 3v2 Passing Channel - S...

This is a 3 v 2 attack v defence situation where the attacking team must make passing decisions to get past the defenders and 'score a try'.Set out a playing area of about 10m x 5mThree attackers and two defenders line up next to the coach in the middle of the sideline of the areaOn GO, the players run round their ends of the area and the coach passes to one of the three attackers - the 3 v 2 is liveAttackers must try to get to the defenders' back line

General

Rugby: Passing Lines of 5 - Sp...

Set up an area of about 15 x 15m. Have 2 teams of 5+ players, with 1 one ball.The players can run anywhere in the area but can't run with the ball. The first team that get 10 passes wins a point. If the ball in intercepted or dropped then turnover. The 1st pass is after the turnover is free.Stop the game every 1 minute to stretch for 30 seconds.PROGRESSIONPlayers can run with the ballPlayers can run with the ball for 2 seconds onlyOverhead passes onlyTouch the ball on the ground before passingCan't pass back to the person you've received it from

General

Fixing Defender Progression Pa...

Groups 10+ Balls Cones Sausages.1. Chanel Fix Groups of 5. Attack sausages lined up one behind eachother. They must use footwork to step to a side of the sausage and then give a pass before running into/past it.2. Passing Grid - Static Defenders Normal 3 man passing grid, however with sausages placed in the middle.Players run forward use footwork to beat the bag and give the pass back inside. (pass before the sausage).3. Passing Grid - Moving defenders. Same as above but instead of sausages, use moving defenders with bags.4. Passing Grid - Starting on corners.Groups of 4 start on each corner with 2 defenders in the middle. The attacking line must get around the corner and square up to beat the 2 defenders. At other end give to next group and start again. Continuous. 5. Final Game Groups of 3 on all sides of the grid, with 2 defenders in the middle.Continuous drill to score as many tries as possibel in 1 min. Focus on all skills above.

General

Attacking footwork and tacklin...

Defender should try and keep shoulders square, close down space and focus on the attackers hips. Attacker tries to stop and sprint to either the right left cone. Defender has to copy them. Attacker should look and move the ball to be able to handoff defender. Attacker must be at full speed.

General

Rugby League: Pass across the ...

1 ball, 20m x 20m grid and 4 Groups. 2 groups of teams line up across the grid facing each other, 8 players each side. On GO the ball carrier’s team runs towards the other team passing the ball as they run until the end players gets it and passes it to the first player in the team facing them. Repeat the drill with the second team playing the opposite direction

General

3 on 2 Attack and Defence Dril...

Set an area with two different coloured cones on the touch line in the middle, one for defenders and one for attackers. At the prompt of the coach the players run around designated cones and attack the defenders to score. Ball carrier should initiate the attack by attacking the inside shoulder of the first defender to stop a drift defence. Draw the first defender and make the pass to your next support runner who should do the same to pass to the outside runner who can go and score. Once attacked three or four times players should swap to defence but not every single time to create continuity and positive development.

General

Rugby: Passing Under Pressure ...

Set out a square grid, at one end of the grid, separate four cones evenly - red, blue, blue, red.One defender stands on each of these cones.Three attackers stand at the other end of the grid.The coach initiates the game by passing to the end player in the grid, and shouting a colour (blue or red).The two defenders on those cones run out to defend, leaving the other colour on the line. A 3 v 2 situation plays out.The attackers must try to get past the defenders to reach the other side of the grid.

General

Kicking Square Kicking - Rugby...

Drill to practice short kicks to an attacking player.Set up a square roughly 10m x 10m, with an even number of players behind each cone (see diagram).One player starts with the ball and runs out a few metres before kicking the ball to the player on his right for them to run on to. Once he has performed the kick he keeps running and joins the back of the line opposite him.This player runs on to the ball and gathers it, before continuing running in a straight line and passing the ball to the first person in the line opposite. He then joins the back of the line.Progression:Start with chip kicks, and then move on to grubber kicks.Introduce a second ballChange the direction the drill is being run (i.e. kick to the left instead of the right)Change the foot which the player is kicking the ball with.

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Three grids - Passing Alignmen...

Set up one small grid (5x5m), one medium grid (10x10m) and one large area (15x15m). Players work in groups of 3 with one ball. Coach shouts out the name of a square (large, medium or small) and players have to realign quickly inside the coloured square. The idea of this practice is that players understand how to use the full width of the pitch and realign quickly.

General

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passing square ANSWERS
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Under 10 - Pre Match Preparation

If you have 30 min before the start of a match how should you prepare a team of under 10 players. How do you get them suitably motivated to hit the ground runnung with a high level of intensity.

William OBrien Coach, England

I'm starting coaching under 14 what are best drills?

I'm starting coaching under 14 what are best drills to start ?

mario smedile Coach, Italy

First time coaching U9 and U10s - anyone got any backline coaching tips?

Hi im a first time coach and is still getting the hang of how the technical details of the game works the back line is my department and whould like any help i can get to know what drills to do and anything helpfull in the backline im currently coaching for the under 9 and 10

Archived User Coach

What's your favourite pre-match warm up?

I'm looking for something a bit different to use with my team before their next match. Something to get them communicating.

Steven Portplan Coach, England

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